A true tale of two Styx

[Boomchild]

The 3 principle lead singers in Styx interact directly with the audience, In Dennis' band it is only Dennis. My point is the shows are completely different.

I would have to disagree with you here. When I saw DDY a few months back, the other members were interacting with the audience.

It's a different type of interaction. I was referring more toward speaking with the audience that with the interaction while playing. I should have been clearer.

I see what you mean. I don't think this fact takes anything away from DDy's shows though.

[Boomchild]

one looks like a rock band and the other looks like a white lionel richie holding a robot head...

Your disdain for Dennis is completely unreasonable and unfounded. Styx is getting a very serious run for their money right now from Dennis and his band. August Zadra and Jimmy Leahy are absolutely phenomenal performers and Dennis hasn't lost it at all. This was my first time seeing Dennis and my seventh time seeing Styx. Don't get me wrong; Styx always puts on a fantastic show and Thursday's show was no exception. However, Dennis has one of the tightest bands in the industry. August just nailed every solo and like Todd Sucherman does to John Panozzo's parts, adds a lot more intricacy and virtuosity to them. Jimmy Leahy is a shredding animal. Those two guys are arguably the best guitar duo in the industry right now. The set list was just killer. Dennis's version of Suite Madame Blue just beats the shit out of the current Styx version. His band is tighter and their energy is higher. Styx was really good, but Dennis and his band was a true rock and roll experience. Absolutely top-notch.

I really hope that this lights a fire under Styx and gets them to strive for even higher levels of excellence. They need to change things up or Dennis and his band are going to take over the Styx market. They need to write new songs, play different songs live, etc. The talent is definitely there to do it, I want to see Gowan doing a full version of Mr. Roboto.

you know NOTHING about music

Oh. Would you please enlighten me about music, or would you like to just continually add absolutely nothing to these discussions? It's easy to make a claim--adding details is another animal. I am simply reporting what I saw. Dennis and his band kicked ass.

I think it's obvious by now that you will not change his mind. It seems to me that when he cannot come up with a valid response to a discussion he reverts to empty put downs and personal attacks.

[Archetype]

More pictures and reviews of each concert by Thursday...I promise!

I put way too much on my plate for the past few days; while I did/accomplished everything, it has left me in a zombie-like state.

[pinkfloyd1973]

Oh. Would you please enlighten me about music, or would you like to just continually add absolutely nothing to these discussions? It's easy to make a claim--adding details is another animal. I am simply reporting what I saw. Dennis and his band kicked ass.

I think it's obvious by now that you will not change his mind. It seems to me that when he cannot come up with a valid response to a discussion he reverts to empty put downs and personal attacks.

Which is why Andrew should have just banned him for good


Robin

[pinkfloyd1973]

More pictures and reviews of each concert by Thursday...I promise!

I put way too much on my plate for the past few days; while I did/accomplished everything, it has left me in a zombie-like state.

Looking forward to it


Robin

[styxfanNH]

The 3 principle lead singers in Styx interact directly with the audience, In Dennis' band it is only Dennis. My point is the shows are completely different.

I would have to disagree with you here. When I saw DDY a few months back, the other members were interacting with the audience.

It's a different type of interaction. I was referring more toward speaking with the audience that with the interaction while playing. I should have been clearer.

I see what you mean. I don't think this fact takes anything away from DDy's shows though.

I am not taking anything away from Dennis' shows. The two shows are just very different in set list and presentation. It really comes down to what you prefer. I have seen both and I expect different things from each when I go to their shows. I have seen Dennis 5 times this year and Styx once this year. I was very pro Dennis and pretty ehh on Styx. I am waiting to hear more about the shows when Archetype has a chance to get to it, but at the time it looked like that was his review and I expected more from him. I am sure he will be more wordy when he gets to it later this week. there were just some statements that I felt should be responded to.

[Archetype]

Suite Madame Blue

[Archetype]

A Tale of Two Styx Part One

United In Rock at First Niagara Pavilion

Due to a traffic jam and some small car issues, we arrived as Kansas was playing "Dust In The Wind." While I was disappointed by missing "Miracles Out Of Nowhere," I was just glad to have made it to the concert at all by that point. Kansas was really good and they seemed to be enjoying themselves despite most of the audience being blinded by the sun. "Fight Fire With Fire" was the highlight of their set for me. I love the power and emotion of that song. They closed with "Carry On My Wayward Son" to great applause and cheers from the crowd. I saw Kansas once before in 2003 when they were the opening act along with John Waite for the February Cyclorama tour. They were great then and even better now.



According to Foreigner's website, they were to be the closing act for Pittsburgh. However, for one reason or another, they ended up going on after Kansas. I think this was a good thing for everyone involved--going on after Styx is a very daunting proposition. Not only that, but it gave us a chance to take a break. We were really exhausted from the drive down and hunger began to overwhelm us. We spent the first half of Foreigner's set buying Styx merchandise, resting, and eating. After getting a Styx shirt, and a Styx program, we sat down and ate our $11 meals which consisted of a rather disgusting hot dog, a handful of French Fries, and a medium soft drink (I can't imagine the disgustingly huge profit margins there.) We went back to our seats just as Foreigner was starting "Star Rider." This is definitely one of my favorite Foreigner songs; it isn't like the rest of their music. "Urgent" was another highlight for me. I really like the groove o it and the way it can get stuck in your head. They closed with "Juke Box Hero" and actually impressed me. I am at best, a casual Foreigner fan. Their performance madehold a higher opinion of them. Kelly Hansen did a great job as a front man. It seemed like he was with the band since the beginning despite having joined in 2005.





The house lights came on, and the roadies began to quickly disassemble Foreigner's equipment and assemble Styx's. Set change was approximately twenty minutes.

Styx went on at 9:40 PM. They came out with all pistons firing. They were tight from the beginning and were definitely enjoying themselves. The "Borrowed Time" medley was pretty enjoyable. Naturally, the crowd went wild when they played fifteen seconds of "Mr. Roboto." I firmly believe that they need to throw that full song into their set; it's a real crowd-pleaser. Lawrence Gowan certainly has the ability to tackle it.



They went into "The Grand Illusion" after the medley. Lawrence's vocals were booming and spot-on. He's a damn good singer and an even better performer and entertainer. I have to give som credit to First Niagara Pavilion for the absolutely phenomenal sound and visibility. It's a great venue. "Too Much Time On My Hands" followed and went over with the crowd very well. There were people dancing and singing everywhere. Tommy's voice was magnificent as usual. After that came Lawrence's rendition of "Lady." He definitely does justice to the original recording and adds his own zing to it. JY took the lead for "Lorelei" after that. His voice is deteriorating a little bit. He didn't sound as good as he had in the previous times I have seen Styx.

The "yawn" moment came after "Lorelei." Tommy talked about the various bands he was in and then went into "High Enough." This IS NOT a Styx song. It just didn't seem to work as nicely as "Crystal Ball" or "One With Everything" would have. Styx: I beg you to stop playing that song. "Suite Madame Blue" followed and was great on the ears, and the eyes thanks to the awesome video that was playing in the background. The seventy-foot screen behind the band added a lot to the show. Tommy introduced Chuck Panozzo and went into "Fooling Yourself" which is a great, inspirational song. During the lyrics "Get up, get back on your feet", the giant screen said them in the context of commanding the audience to get up. Everyone obliged and you could feel all the energy.



JY took over again and sang "Miss America." It's wasn't awful, but he definitely wasn't at his best, in my opinion. It was still very enjoyable though. His guitar playing was spot on, though. He's a great guitarist.



Lawrence Gowan played a short piano solo, sang a few lines of legendary rock songs, then played "Come Sail Away." He did an excellent job at both playing the piano part and singing. He's a great addition to Styx. All of the roughly 20,000 people in attendance loved him.





Lots of confetti fell from the ceiling at the end of the song



The encore consisted of "Blue Collar Man" and "Renegade." The sound, video, and energy was all at peak excellence levels. Styx is still a very powerful musical force to be reckoned with despite their turbulent past. I really enjoyed this concert.





Me on the right, my buddy on the left. He used to HATE Styx and everything about them. I convinced him to come see them with me during their 2008 tour with Boston. He was in awe of their performing ability and was actually nagging me to ensure that I got tickets for this tour. He's just as die hard of a fan as I am now.



The gallows

[gr8dane]

Nice work Archie,though your buddy looks like he is just about to have being carried out.
But then again,that's what makes it a good concert.

[Everett]

I wonder how long it takes them to unload/set up that video screen. It is pretty amazing though. We must not have any venues in the state that can support it.

[Abitaman]

Thanks for the pictures and the review!!!

[Archetype]

I'll start working on a thorough Dennis review and the comparison when I get home later tonight...or rather, early tomorrow morning.

[Don]

Loved the confetti at the end . Great review and pics!

[Babyblue]

WOW!!!! Great pictures you have.Thanks!!!! for sharing it with us here.But did you not say 20,000 people at the show?????????????? If i read that right then Froy needs to see that. I just wish there were pics of Gowan. I can't wait to see what you have to add.Again thank you.

[styxfanNH]

Good review. Sounds like you had a great time.

[Boomchild]

The 3 principle lead singers in Styx interact directly with the audience, In Dennis' band it is only Dennis. My point is the shows are completely different.

I would have to disagree with you here. When I saw DDY a few months back, the other members were interacting with the audience.

It's a different type of interaction. I was referring more toward speaking with the audience that with the interaction while playing. I should have been clearer.

I see what you mean. I don't think this fact takes anything away from DDy's shows though.

I am not taking anything away from Dennis' shows. The two shows are just very different in set list and presentation. It really comes down to what you prefer. I have seen both and I expect different things from each when I go to their shows. I have seen Dennis 5 times this year and Styx once this year. I was very pro Dennis and pretty ehh on Styx. I am waiting to hear more about the shows when Archetype has a chance to get to it, but at the time it looked like that was his review and I expected more from him. I am sure he will be more wordy when he gets to it later this week. there were just some statements that I felt should be responded to.

OK, I didn't fully understand what you were saying. Sorry about that. I have and always be a supporter of DDY. I have seen him several times since the split. To date he has never disappointed me. As far as the current Styx line up, I have not seen them since the tour in '99. I went into it with an open mind and just found that this version of Styx didn't do it for me. I am in no way saying that they do not put on a professional show. Just not what interests me at this point.

[FormerDJMike]

I really like the screen. It adds a lot to the show.

[Everett]

I really like the screen. It adds a lot to the show.

+1 I don't think we wanna know how much that cost them

[chickenbeef]

I really like the screen. It adds a lot to the show.

+1 I don't think we wanna know how much that cost them

100,000 a week

[Babyblue]

I really like the screen. It adds a lot to the show.

+1 I don't think we wanna know how much that cost them

100,000 a week

Well from the pics it is well worth it.

[styxfanNH]

That "screen"s weird. when they aren't using it, it is see through. When they were striking the stage for the next band, you could see right through it and into the backstage. Some type of new technology. But very cool. It's not like what they used when they toured with Def Leppard. Those were screens.

[Babyblue]

Loved the confetti at the end . Great review and pics!

Don, thanks, for sharing the pic with SP.

[Archetype]

A Tale of Two Styx Part Two

Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx at the Seneca Niagara Performing Arts Center June 25th

I went to this show with some skepticism but also an open mind. I have seen the current incarnation of Styx (Lawrence Gowan)seven times but have never seen Dennis DeYoung live in any setting before this show. I attended the United In Rock tour in Pittsburgh the night before (June 24th) which consisted of Kansas, Foreigner, and headliner Styx. Having just seen Styx live roughly 24 hours before Dennis hit the stage, I wasn't sure that Dennis and his band would be able to top the performance of the "real" Styx...

...I was proven quite wrong.

My uncle and I arrived at the Seneca Niagara Casino at 6:00 PM, so we decided to go check out the American side of the falls and the other various attractions. It's really neat to be able to go see Niagara Falls, then go back to the casino for a concert.
Finally, it got to be time for the concert. It was scheduled for 8:00PM, but they ended up starting at around 8:10. Maybe this was for the purpose of building up anticipation, which it certainly did accomplish. After what seemed like an eternity, the lights went dark and a recording of "The Message" began to blast through the PA system. Seconds later, Dennis's band appeared and went right into "The Grand Illusion." Dennis ran out just in time for when the vocals start and looked and acted like a true showman. His voice sounded great, and his band was really tight and energetic. I was expecting something on par with the musicianship of a bar band, but was very pleasantly surprised by the extremely talented musicians that Dennis hired. We had decent seats, then moved up to great seats, then moved right next to the stage at the end.

The two guitarists, Jimmy Leahy and August Zadra are true guitar virtuosos. They made those Styx songs their own with a plethora of lightning-quick finger tapping and wah pedals, yet at the same time, stayed true enough to the original recordings. Their energy was on par with, or higher than that of the guys in Styx (Who are renowned for their high-energy shows.) August has another trick up his sleeve, too. That guy can belt out songs in a fashion that can give Tommy Shaw a serious run for his money. He sang Tommy's "Too Much Time On My Hands" to which he received thunderous applause and cheers. That guy has a great gift for lead vocals. He's basically Tommy Shaw without the southern accent.I want to mention their energy again. It really felt like I was watching a soccer game, watching those two guys dash around on stage. When Dennis sang the "Every day is a holiday when your lips meet mine" lyrics in "Lights" he was right next to August and tried to kiss him. August was bolting all around the stage trying to get away from Dennis who was still trying to get a kiss out of him. Poor Dennis never could catch up to that little fireball August and didn't get his kiss It was really entertaining. August even acts like Tommy in his facial expressions, interaction with the other members, and general presence.

Tom Sharpe and Craig Carter make for an excellent rhythm section. Tom Sharpe is an internationally recognized professional drummer, and for good reason. That guy is damn good and very entertaining to watch. While not quite on par with Todd Sucherman, he's very close to it. Craig held up a very solid bottom end and added terrific backing vocals.

On keyboards in addition to Dennis was master pianist/keyboardist John Blasucci. Hailing from Italy, that guy played the Styx keyboard/piano parts like they were his. John is a very talented musician and an excellent performer. I can even say, from the perspective of another male, that he's very well-dressed and good looking. The European in him certainly shows.

Dennis's vocals were spot-on all night. He had a really high level of energy and let his terrific sense of humor show while interacting with the audience between songs. You would have never guessed that the man singing was 63 years old. Dennis's wife Suzanne, sang backing vocals as well. Overall, I was extremely impressed with the energy, virtuosity, talent, and showmanship displayed by Dennis and his band. At the end of the show, I got a high-five from Dennis and the set list that was next to his keyboards. I was really expecting just a bar band kind of stagnant rock show. What I saw was on par with what Styx does. My only complaint is that he didn't play any songs off on One Hundred Years From Now--which is my same complaint about Styx and Cyclorama.

I'm going to see Dennis again August 20th in Erie.

Setlist:

The Message (Recorded intro)
The Grand Illusion
Lady
Lorelei
Desert Moon
Mr. Roboto
Light Up
Show Me The Way
Don't Let It End
Too Much Time On My Hands
Rockin' The Paradise/extended Jimmy&August guitar solos
Babe
Suite Madame Blue (musical highlight of the show for me)
Best Of Times
--------------------------------
Come Sail Away

[Babyblue]

Thank you, for sharing with us about both shows & pictures. Can't wait till i get to see just Styx.

[Archetype]

Dennis DeYoung- Mr. Roboto

[bugsymalone]

Thanks again for all the photos and the reviews, Arch. I am surprised no "100 Years FN" in DDY's set, but it looks like a pretty short setlist. Maybe you will hear it at the next show.

Bugsy

[Archetype]

As more and more reviews pour in, I realize that I'm not the only one who was truly blown away by Dennis and his band. Their version of Suite Madame Blue was undoubtedly one of the most awesome performances I have seen. I went in expecting a bar band and left in awe with my jaw firmly attached to the floor. I cannot stress enough about how awesome of a concert it was. If his band is this tight now, I cannot wait to see how good they are in a year or so. If you're a Styx fan, you really owe it to yourself to go to their show.

I still really enjoy Styx. I was very impressed by their show like I always am, but they're getting kind of stale. Their motions, positions, set list, etc need to change. How many times more times will Lawrence sit on the bass amps while singing Suite Madame Blue and then run over to Tommy when the song starts rocking? The talent is play a better set list is there. The fans are there. The competition from Dennis is DEFINITELY there. Come on, STYX! Stop being so damn complacent and stagnant. Change things up. Quit letting such incredible talent go to waste. Play some obscure stuff. Play some Cyclorama stuff. Write some new music that doesn't sound like a B side from a Damn Yankees album. Essentially, stop being lazy. Write some progressive anthems. Create things as a whole. Have all six members sit in a room for a week and write a masterpiece. You've got the best rock drummer in the world and the beat in Difference In The World is the best you can do? I know that this lineup is capable of amazing things. Just listen to One With Everything.

I am still a huge Styx fan and would go see them live tomorrow if the opportunity presented itself; but they need some tough love.

Dennis suffers from the "Don't play new music" ailment as well. Why be a has-been that plays songs that were written 20+ years ago? There is a whole album of incredible music to choose from to play live that came out in 2007. It's awesome to play the old songs, but don't play ONLY the old songs. Why not do One hundred Years From Now? It would spark some interest in the latest album. It certainly wouldn't get the reaction that Mr. Roboto or Come Sail Away get, but I bet that it could build momentum as it is played more and more.

I can't wait to see Dennis and crew on August 20th in Erie. I hope to catch Styx on their Regeneration tour this fall.

[LtVanish]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the show! I am sure Dennis will mix it up even more in the future, he is on cloud 9 right now playing the full Styx set. "This Time Next Year" the band will be much tighter, even though they have it all together already. I would love to see Dennis try playing an album start to finish with his band, I sent an e-mail to his webpage suggesting such.

[Boomchild]

As more and more reviews pour in, I realize that I'm not the only one who was truly blown away by Dennis and his band. Their version of Suite Madame Blue was undoubtedly one of the most awesome performances I have seen. I went in expecting a bar band and left in awe with my jaw firmly attached to the floor. I cannot stress enough about how awesome of a concert it was. If his band is this tight now, I cannot wait to see how good they are in a year or so. If you're a Styx fan, you really owe it to yourself to go to their show.

I still really enjoy Styx. I was very impressed by their show like I always am, but they're getting kind of stale. Their motions, positions, set list, etc need to change. How many times more times will Lawrence sit on the bass amps while singing Suite Madame Blue and then run over to Tommy when the song starts rocking? The talent is play a better set list is there. The fans are there. The competition from Dennis is DEFINITELY there. Come on, STYX! Stop being so damn complacent and stagnant. Change things up. Quit letting such incredible talent go to waste. Play some obscure stuff. Play some Cyclorama stuff. Write some new music that doesn't sound like a B side from a Damn Yankees album. Essentially, stop being lazy. Write some progressive anthems. Create things as a whole. Have all six members sit in a room for a week and write a masterpiece. You've got the best rock drummer in the world and the beat in Difference In The World is the best you can do? I know that this lineup is capable of amazing things. Just listen to One With Everything.

I am still a huge Styx fan and would go see them live tomorrow if the opportunity presented itself; but they need some tough love.

Dennis suffers from the "Don't play new music" ailment as well. Why be a has-been that plays songs that were written 20+ years ago? There is a whole album of incredible music to choose from to play live that came out in 2007. It's awesome to play the old songs, but don't play ONLY the old songs. Why not do One hundred Years From Now? It would spark some interest in the latest album. It certainly wouldn't get the reaction that Mr. Roboto or Come Sail Away get, but I bet that it could build momentum as it is played more and more.

I can't wait to see Dennis and crew on August 20th in Erie. I hope to catch Styx on their Regeneration tour this fall.

The sad fact is that the general public has no interest in hearing new material from bands like DDY and Styx. They come to hear the music of their youth and both DDY and Styx understand that and know that is what sells tickets. I think no matter how many times an artist in their position plays new material it won't change anything. Since the new material suffers from poor promotion and no real backing from the labels that release them, it goes nowhere. It's just the way it is and won't change anytime soon if ever. People are their to relive memories plain and simple.